In the third episode of "Boy Swallows Universe," titled “Boy Gets Chop,” the story takes a dramatic turn as young Eli faces the harsh realities of his family's situation. After waking up in the hospital, Eli learns from Slim, his mentor, that his mother Frankie has been arrested for drug possession and faces a potential prison sentence. Compounding this distress, there is no news about the whereabouts of his stepfather, Lyle, who has been abducted.
Feeling a sense of responsibility, Eli considers confessing to the police that the drugs were his, not Frankie's, and exposing Bich Dang as the town's heroin supplier. Slim, however, cautions him against such actions, warning of the dangers of meddling in these affairs and the futility of speaking out in a town rife with corruption.
Heeding Slim’s advice to keep quiet, Eli plans a bold escape from the hospital with the help of Christopher, a fellow patient who creates a diversion. Eli returns home, where he speaks with his neighbor Gene, who witnessed the abduction of Lyle but was warned by the police to remain silent about it.
Eli discovers that his house has been turned upside down, presumably in search of Lyle's hidden drug stash. He answers a mysterious call on the red telephone in the basement, where the caller suggests he contact Bich Dang to learn about Lyle's location. However, when Eli approaches her, Bich Dang angrily denies any involvement and refuses to help him find Lyle.
With nowhere else to turn, Eli and his brother Gus, who has resumed speaking, seek refuge at their father Robert's house. Robert, plagued by alcoholism, appears to be a shadow of his former self, spending his days in a haze of booze and fast food.
In a desperate attempt to resolve the situation, Eli and Gus meet with Slim to discuss a strategy to contact Ivan, the potential mastermind behind the chaos. Slim, once again, urges caution and rational thinking to avoid further endangering their family.
Eli decides to seek help from Caitlyn Spies, a courageous journalist, offering her a story about Slim Haliday, the infamous taxi driver killer, in exchange for her assistance. Their plans take a grim turn when a tattooed leg, identified as belonging to Lyle, is found washed up on the shore, a stark reminder of the deadly stakes involved.
The episode concludes with Eli realizing the severity of the situation he's embroiled in and the deadly nature of the criminals he's up against. This revelation leaves viewers anticipating the next episode, which may delve into the backstory of Eli's father Robert and the reasons behind his departure from Frankie and his descent into alcoholism. The gripping narrative of "Boy Swallows Universe" continues to build, layering complexity and intrigue with each unfolding event.
